Alyson Murphy Article

Stasis Theory with Alyson Murphy

Everyone in this country is entitled to voice their opinion. When dealing with an audience, you must examine their opinions, assumptions, attitudes, values, and beliefs. Alyson Murphy's topic of her article is getting young people more political participation. She used ROCKtheVOTE.com as and example of how politicians use music and pop culture to increase voter turn out. She is asks if young adults should participate in the political process. This is valued because young people may or may not understand the full issues at stake.

It is a more specific argument because she is targeting the young people. She wonders if they are qualified to vote in this historical election, spanning race and gender. This is kind of argument has theoretical and practical elements. Theoretical argument has an abstract idea and asks "can." Practical argument wonders "should" a person do the action or specific activities.

Theoretical:
+ Should youth participate in politics?
+ Is voting the right way to decide a communities direction?

Practical:
+ Should youth voe in the 2008 election?

What is IT and does this article have IT?

Asking questions about the purpose of the subject is important to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of an argument:

(p. 88-89)

Conjecture Q's:
+ Why do you think political parties are targeting young voters?
+ Is it because they care about their opinion or do they just want their numbers?
+ Are they participating at the right time?

Definition Q's:
+ Does ROCKtheVOTE.com inform the youth about the the important issues?
+ Will ROCKtheVOTE.com still care two years from now?
+ What does it mean to vote and participate? Privilege or responsibility.

Quality Q's:
+ Should we still support the winning candidate if we did not vote for him?
+ Should you still vote even if you don't know the issues?

Policy Q's: